The Spanish were immune to these diseases because they were well-known in Europe and they had been exposed to them for years, but the Aztecs weren't so entire villages were wiped out in just few weeks which cleared the way for the Spanish to entirely conquer and destroy the Aztec empire.
Signs and omens that were created by the Aztec people were also large factors in the demise of the Aztec empire. Before the actual arrival of the Spanish people, the Aztec priest and people believed that their Gods would one day arrive for them. This omen was foretold many years before the actual arrival of the Spanish people. In the Broken Spear, the author mentions that these types
Broken Spears 3 of omens were also factors that contributed to the destruction of the Aztec empire. It was their strong beliefs that these omens, such as the arrival of the Gods would come true that lead them into religious actions and practices which eventually contributed to the failure of the empire. One such omen appeared "Blazing like a great bonfire in the sky. Tell him that we love him well and that our heart is contented. As the Spaniards arrived a Nohohualco and charged at the warriors " (Broken Spear) Everyone was wounded, the toll of death was grievous on both sides....
This omen also shows the actual destruction.
The Aztecs viewed the Gods of the Spaniards very differently. In the Broken Spear, the author talks about how the Spaniards forced the Aztecs into worshiping their one God or they would be killed. The Spaniards forced their God onto the Aztec Indians and this God was something very new and very different. The Aztecs were accustomed to worshiping several different Gods which related to the land around them. They were not used to worshiping only one God who controlled everything. Nevertheless, when the Aztecs did not accept the Spanish God, much blood shed occurred. This also shows how religion played a part in the overall destruction and demise of the Aztec empire.
In conclusion, the role of religion evidently played a huge role in the destruction and demise of the Aztec empire. Neither the Aztec people nor the Spanish people knew anything about one another's religion. The differences in religion and religious beliefs lead to many fights, battles, and blood sheds. In the Broken Spears
Broken Arrow, the authors of the stories clearly explain how religion affected the conquest of the Aztec empire.
References
Leon-Portillo, Miguel. The Broken Spears.
